The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) has raised serious concerns over the legality of recent assignment letters issued to CEB employees, warning that the process violates constitutional rights and lacks compliance with provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act.
In a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, the union alleged that employees were asked to accept new assignments under the Electricity Act without being given a properly prescribed Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)—a requirement explicitly outlined in the law.
“We are shocked and perturbed,” the union stated, noting that instead of a legally valid VRS, employees were referred to a draft document published online, which the CEBEU claims lacks any legal standing.
They criticised the imposition of a two-month deadline for employees to decide, despite the absence of key information regarding VRS payments, timelines, and institutional responsibility.
The CEBEU also questioned the legal standing of the proposed successor companies to which employees are being assigned, pointing out that these entities have yet to be properly constituted, with no legally appointed Boards of Directors in place.
Assigning staff under such conditions, the union said, “grossly violates the law, procedure, and the fundamental rights of the employees.”
CEBEU also noted that official statements regarding the preparedness of restructuring plans previously affirmed by the Attorney General’s submissions during the legislative review of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill contradict the current state of implementation.
Labeling the assignation process as “arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful,” the CEBEU urged the Ministry of Energy to halt further action until full legal compliance is ensured.
The union warned that failure to address these concerns would compel it to pursue all available legal remedies.
Leave a comment